President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Professor Benedict Oramah.
Oramah is the outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank.
The president conferred the title on Oramah at the 32nd Annual Afreximbank Meetings in Abuja.
Tinubu hailed Oramah’s transformative leadership, describing him as a pivotal figure in shaping Africa’s financial and trade landscape.
Tinubu noted that under Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank’s assets grew significantly, from $5bn to over $37bn, and that the bank mobilised more than $150bn for trade and development in Africa over the last decade.
He said,”I have the honour and privilege to recognise you, the outstanding contribution of Professor Benedict Oramah, by conferring you with one of Nigeria’s highest honours, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
“Nigeria has proudly benefited from over $52bn in support directed to energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and the creative industry.”
Tinubu also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of financial integration, reaffirming Nigeria’s formal approval of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System.
“I urge all African nations to embrace PAPSS because deeper financial integration strengthens our collective resilience,” he said.
The president also outlined plans for Nigeria’s energy future, announcing the launch of the Africa Energy Bank in Abuja with an initial capital of $5bn.
“This is a significant step towards financing Africa’s energy transition,” he stated, emphasising the role of gas, renewable energy, and clean technologies in the region’s future.